Quickwrite (p. 314): Think of a time you made a significant choice
in your life. Now imagine you had made a different choice. How would
your life be different? (Identify the choice and write three sentences
in response.)

Copy the poem into your Writing Notebook.

Answer questions 1, 4, & 5 on page 318.

Tone: Insert an adjective (to describe the tone of the poem) into
line 16 before the word sigh: "I shall be telling this with
a __________ sigh...."

Friday, March 29: A Day

This story (and several other Poe stories) are referenced in a chapter
of The Martian Chronicles called "Usher II," so not
only is this an opportunity to see how a master develops mood, but it
will help you fully appreciate the Bradbury story when you get to it.

April 1-5, 2013: Spring Break!

April 8-12, 2013

Monday, April 8: B Day

This story (and several other Poe stories) are referenced in a chapter
of The Martian Chronicles called "Usher II," so not
only is this an opportunity to see how a master develops mood, but it
will help you fully appreciate the Bradbury story when you get to it.

Since Bradbury was influenced in many ways by the work of Poe, it
pays to know a bit about the man and his work. Remember: We are focusing
on style, so watch for the recognizable elements of it.

Poetry Month Assignment: On your own time, choose one of the "Poems
o' the Day" from this year to present aloud to this class during
National Poetry Month. You will need a copy of the poem, and you will
need to sign up for the one you choose as soon as you select it. No
duplicates! More to come on this assignment....

While out in the desert with Leo (Chapter 17), Stargirl seems to find
special insight and inner peace by "erasing herself" through
meditation. Consider an activity you are especially familiar with in
which you find peace and insight into Life and the world. Write a non-literal
poem describing the way to do that activity. Instead of just listing
the steps involved, describe the process from the inside. Create metaphors
to explain the thoughts and emotions that the activity conjures in you.
This fill-in-the-blank outline
is only for those who aren't creative enough to come up with all the
lines on their own. Don't use it if you don't absolutely need to. You
may create a decorated final draft that is suitable for classroom display.
Here's an example.
Here's another.
Be creative and artistic!

Neil's Solo: Think of the state of mind one must be in to perform
a task this well. Imagine the thousands of hours of thought and practice
that went into it. Then consider how he has to put all that aside for
the eight minutes in which it all coalesces. He can't stop to think
about each of the basic mechanics that make up his craft; he has to
"get in the zone" where it all comes together without thinking.
Your "The Way to _________"
poem should focus on this zone, this state of mind, not on the literal
how-to instructions of the activity you describe. well?

While out in the desert with Leo (Chapter 17), Stargirl seems to find
special insight and inner peace by "erasing herself" through
meditation. Consider an activity you are especially familiar with in
which you find peace and insight into Life and the world. Write a non-literal
poem describing the way to do that activity. Instead of just listing
the steps involved, describe the process from the inside. Create metaphors
to explain the thoughts and emotions that the activity conjures in you.
This fill-in-the-blank outline
is only for those who aren't creative enough to come up with all the
lines on their own. Don't use it if you don't absolutely need to. You
may create a decorated final draft that is suitable for classroom display.
Here's an example.
Here's another.
Be creative and artistic!

Neil's Solo: Think of the state of mind one must be in to perform
a task this well. Imagine the thousands of hours of thought and practice
that went into it. Then consider how he has to put all that aside for
the eight minutes in which it all coalesces. He can't stop to think
about each of the basic mechanics that make up his craft; he has to
"get in the zone" where it all comes together without thinking.
Your "The Way to _________"
poem should focus on this zone, this state of mind, not on the literal
how-to instructions of the activity you describe. well?

Thursday, May 30: A Day: Stargirl Projects/Serenades
Friday, May 31: B Day

The Final Entry: Write a letter to yourself in ten
years. Keep the journal until then and read it. Then write me a letter
or an e-mail (or whatever the latest communication technology is by
then) to tell me if things turned out as you planned.

Copy this on the last page:Thompson's Words of Wisdom as You Head to High School
Life is Short: Don't be a George Grey!
Be Nice: We're all in this together, and nobody gets out alive!